Koh Samui: six places for a first visit and how to get to the island

Getting to Koh Samui takes longer than getting to Phuket. Direct flights mostly depart from Bangkok, so from Europe the route almost always involves a connection. On the island itself, though, everything is close: temples in the north, rock formations and beaches in the east.

Koh Samui has six places worth the trip: four temples, an elephant sanctuary, and the rock formations near Lamai. Below we break down four ways to get there and the time you'll need for each stop.

What's good to know in advance: you can manage without a car, but songthaews and taxis will take more time. The northern temples are convenient to see in one outing, and save Lamai and the rock formations for a second day.

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How to get to Koh Samui

💡 In short:

• A direct flight from Bangkok to Samui Airport (USM) takes about an hour.
• Budget route: fly to Surat Thani, then bus to Donsak and a ferry.
• An overnight bus from Bangkok is cheaper, but it runs all night.
• An overnight train from Bangkok goes to Surat Thani, then bus and ferry.
• Roads and ferries: 09/2026, checked on the ferry operator's website

The fastest way to reach the island is a direct flight to Samui Airport. The airport is small and owned by an airline, so tickets here are expensive. The flight from Bangkok takes about an hour, but the ticket will cost more than any overland route.

It's cheaper to fly to Surat Thani, then travel to Donsak Pier and transfer to a ferry. The ferry takes about 1.5 hours (as of 09/2026, Raja Ferry schedule). Two operators run from Donsak to Koh Samui, so you choose based on departure time (as of 09/2026, Seatran Ferry).

An overnight bus from Bangkok gets you to the pier in about 12 hours, then you transfer to a ferry (as of 09/2026, Raja Ferry routes). People pick this option to save money. You'll have to sleep in a seat.

An overnight train from Bangkok goes to Surat Thani, then you transfer to a bus and ferry. Long-distance trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat station: the old Hua Lamphong no longer serves overnight routes. Check the schedule with the carrier before you travel.

Book ferry tickets in advance if you're traveling in December or January. In high season, spots on daytime sailings sell out quickly.

Getting around the island

The most convenient ways to get around the island are songthaew, taxi, or a rented scooter. A songthaew is cheaper, but it runs along the main road around the island and doesn't stop at every hotel. Airport taxis operate on fixed rates; you'll be quoted the price at the counter before you exit.

A scooter gives you freedom, but it requires a category A license and experience, and the mountain roads are narrow and slippery after rain. Book your airport transfer in advance so a car is waiting at the exit.

What to see on Koh Samui

The six places below are listed in route order from north to south. The table shows how much time to allow for each.

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

© Abrget47j · CC BY-SAPhoto: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The statue stands on the small island of Koh Fan, which is connected to the shore by a causeway. Twelve meters of gold are visible even on the approach to the airport. That's why people stop here on the first day.

• How to get there: songthaew or taxi to Bophut, then walk along the causeway.
• Entry: free, you only pay for donations.
• Rules: leave shoes and socks at the stairs, cover shoulders and knees.
• The catch: during the day the steps get scorching hot, and walking barefoot is tough.

Wat Khunaram

© Roma Neus · CC BYPhoto: Roma Neus, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Here stands a glass sarcophagus with the body of monk Luang Pho Daeng. At fifty he entered the monastery, and his disciples preserved his body according to his will.

• How to get there: the temple sits right on the road to Lamai, you can't miss it.
• Entry: free.
• Tip: for a donation, monks give a protective bracelet for your wrist.

Wat Plai Laem

This young temple was built with public donations. At the center stands a golden Buddha, flanked by an eighteen-armed Guanyin and a laughing Hotei. Around the temple they dug a lake with fish and turtles.

• Getting there: next to Big Buddha, easy to combine into one stop.
• Entry: free.

Wat Lamai

© Manfred Werner · CC BY-SAPhoto: Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

For locals, this is the center of community life: fairs and rituals are held here. The grounds have a pond where you're allowed to feed the fish.

• Getting there: central Lamai, a short walk from the main street.
• Entry: free.
• The catch: fish food is sold separately.

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

A sanctuary for rescued elephants where you spend half a day. You'll see the animals being fed and bathed, and at the end guests are served a vegetarian lunch. Elephant riding is not offered here, check the sanctuary's website before booking.

• Tours: book in advance, tours on GetYourGuide.
• Who it's for: families with children.
• Not for: those who want to ride an elephant.

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks

© นิภาภรณ์ วันทอง Nipaporn Wanthong · CC BY-SAPhoto: นิภาภรณ์ วันทอง Nipaporn Wanthong, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Two rock formations in southern Lamai that locals call "grandfather and grandmother." Their shapes are unmistakable, and a legend explains their appearance as the death of an elderly couple at sea.

• Getting there: songthaew or scooter to the southern part of Lamai.
• Entry: free.

You can see the northern temples and rocks on a guided tour if you're short on time.

How many days you need on Koh Samui

Two full days are enough for the six places on this list. The first day covers the north, the second covers Lamai, the rocks, and the sanctuary.

Get to the temples in the morning. Before the heat sets in, you'll get more done, and the Big Buddha staircase is nearly empty. If you're staying in Chaweng, leave earlier: the drive north takes about forty minutes.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need on Koh Samui to see the main sights?

Two full days are enough for the six places in this article. The northern temples are visited on the first day, while Lamai, the rocks, and the sanctuary are left for the second. If you add beaches and a rest day after the flight, plan for four days.

What's the cheapest way to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok?

The cheapest option is to fly to Surat Thani and travel to Donsak: the ferry costs less than a flight. An overnight bus is even more economical, but the journey takes a whole night. A direct flight to Samui Airport (USM) is faster but more expensive than the other options.

Do you need a car on Koh Samui?

No, songthaews and taxis are enough. A songthaew runs along the ring road and costs less, but it doesn't stop at every hotel. For the six places in this article, a day with a driver or a rented scooter is enough, if you have a category A license.

Can you visit the temples of Koh Samui for free?

Yes, entry to Big Buddha, Wat Khunaram, Wat Plai Laem, and Wat Lamai is free. You only pay for offerings: at Wat Khunaram they give you a protective bracelet in return, at Wat Lamai they sell fish food. Dress modestly, cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes at the entrance.

Is the elephant sanctuary worth visiting with children?

Yes, the sanctuary suits adults and children: you feed the elephants, watch them bathe, and enjoy a vegetarian set meal. Elephant riding is not offered here, so the visit is calm and free of shows. Book on the sanctuary's official website.

In short: what's worth booking

If you have a short trip, decide one thing in advance: whether you're staying in the north or in Chaweng. The north is more convenient for temples, Chaweng for beaches and rock formations. Compare hotels by location, and book tours for your specific dates.

If you're traveling with kids: take a morning slot at the elephant sanctuary. If it's your first time on the island: start with the northern temples. If you've already been to Samui: set aside a day for Lamai.

Find hotels in Samui on Trip.com and check tours and tickets on GetYourGuide for your dates.